The Birth of a Holy Child

Long ago in the land of Showa, there lived a priest named Tsega Ze’ab and his wife Egzi’e Haraya. They loved God with all their hearts, but they had no children. Every day they prayed, “Lord, bless us with a son!”

During this time, an evil ruler named Matalome attacked Showa. He hurt many people and carried away women to make them his wives. Egzi’e Haraya was taken from her home, but she prayed with all her heart to God for rescue.

God heard her prayer. Suddenly, the great Archangel Michael appeared, lifted her on his wings, and brought her safely back to her husband in the church. What a miracle!

Soon after, the angel told them they would have a son who would be known across the whole world for his holiness. And it happened—on the 24th of Tahsas, a baby boy was born. They named him Fisseha Tsion, but the world would one day know him as Teklehaimanot.

A Baby Who Praised God

Even as a baby, Fisseha Tsion was filled with God’s Spirit. On his third day, he amazed everyone by crying out:
“One is the Holy Father! One is the Holy Son! One is the Holy Spirit!”

As he grew, God gave him many gifts. When his family ran out of food, little Fisseha Tsion would touch flour, oil, or honey, and suddenly the jars were full again. Neighbors marveled and said, “Truly, this child is chosen by God.”

Learning God’s Word

At age seven, his father taught him the Psalms and the holy books. Later, Bishop Abba Cyril made him a deacon and said, “This boy is a chosen vessel of God.”

But Fisseha Tsion was not meant for an ordinary life.

Called by Christ

One day while hunting in the desert, he saw a wondrous vision—Jesus appeared, carried by the wings of Michael the Archangel.

The Lord said,
“From now on, you will not hunt animals. You will catch souls for God’s Kingdom. Your name will be Teklehaimanot. I give you power to heal the sick and cast out evil spirits.”

From that moment, Teklehaimanot gave his life to serve God.

Preaching and Baptizing

After his parents died, he gave all his possessions to the poor and went out with nothing but his staff, saying,
“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?”

As a priest, he traveled through Showa preaching the Good News. He baptized seventy thousand people! He tore down idol shrines, cut sacred trees, and sent demons fleeing.

Fighting Magicians and Evil

God then sent him to Damot, a land filled with magicians and fortune-tellers. They beat him with iron rods until his bones showed, but God made him strong, and he rose unharmed. The earth swallowed the wicked men, proving the power of God.

Even the cruel governor of Damot tried to kill him, but every attempt failed. Seeing Teklehaimanot’s miracles—raising the dead and healing the sick—the governor believed in Christ, along with twelve thousand ninety-nine people.

Angelic Help

Once Teklehaimanot had no holy oil to serve Communion. But Archangel Michael himself brought down heavenly oil and said, “Use this to bless the people.” Truly, heaven was working with him.

Years of Prayer and Service

Teklehaimanot spent years with holy men like Abba Iyesus Moa and Abba Yohanni. He became a monk, praying thousands of prostrations each night, working hard by day—carrying water, grinding flour, chopping wood, and always helping others.

He even walked across the sea without getting wet, visiting Jerusalem three times to pray at the holy places.

Life on the Mountain

In his later years, Teklehaimanot lived in caves and deserts, teaching, praying, and performing countless miracles. Seventeen disciples lived with him, and many more men and women became monks and nuns because of his example.

To share in Christ’s suffering, he even built sharp spikes into his prayer cell so that his body felt pain as he prayed. He stood so long that one of his legs broke. Yet for seven years he prayed standing on one foot.

The Crown of Glory

At last, Jesus came to him in a vision with the Virgin Mary, angels, prophets, and martyrs. The Lord said,
“My beloved Teklehaimanot, you have shared in My sufferings. Now you shall share in My Kingdom.”

Soon after, the saint became ill. He was ninety-nine years and eight months old when he peacefully passed away, surrounded by the praise of angels. He was buried with honor in his monastery, where many still call on his name for help.

Salutation to Teklehaimanot, father of monks and light of Ethiopia.

Saint Thomas the Confessor

On this same day, we remember another brave saint—Abba Thomas, Bishop of Mar’as.

When wicked rulers tried to force him to deny Christ, he boldly answered,
“I will never worship stones! I worship only Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

Because of his faith, he was tortured for many years. His ears, nose, lips, hands, and feet were cut off. His body was scarred, but his spirit was strong.

For twenty-two years he remained in prison, helped secretly by a faithful woman who brought him food at night. At last, when Emperor Constantine became Christian, Thomas was set free.

When he appeared at the great Council of Nicaea, even the emperor bowed before him, kissing his scars as signs of victory in Christ.

After forty years of guiding his people, Thomas died in peace, wearing the crown of a true confessor.

Salutation to Thomas, the fearless defender of Christ.

The Crown of Many

Also on this day, nine thousand martyrs who followed Saint Thomas received crowns of victory in heaven.

Glory to God in His Saints

The lives of these holy ones—Abba Teklehaimanot, Abba Thomas, and the countless martyrs—shine like stars. They remind us to be brave, faithful, and full of love for God.

Glory be to God, who is glorified in His saints. Amen.